I took DS to the park today

Jennicap · April 2011

and was amazed at how far other moms would let their kids wander without hovering! I kinda felt a little crazy but I was so paranoid thinking he's so cute someone will take him! does this ease? I was with a friend and it started getting really busy and I was making him hold my hand when she suggested we leave (thank god!) but she's the mom of 4 and much more relax than me, she wanted to leave b/c a bunch of bigger kids were running around like crazy and not paying attention to the little ones!

Arcadia1114 · April 2011

It must've been crazy day at the park today. We took DS today and the other father there was leaning up against the slide smoking. Liam was just as happy watching bigger kids play soccer on the other side of the park.

Que*Syrah · April 2011

fredalina:
How far is too far in your opinion? Because i bet you'd judge me for sure!

Probably me too!

I want him to learn independence and to play with the other kids. I feel like if I am constantly hovering over him he'll be too afraid to do things without me being right there.

alli&pat · April 2011

fredalina:

Because i bet you'd judge me for sure!

I was thinking the same thing! I hope you don't live in NC. We were at the park today too.

Jennicap · April 2011

No no i felt like I was crazy b/c no one else seemed as paranoid as I was! I let him go maybe 10feet without anything between us and my eye is on him CONSTANTLY, a few times he'd be making his way around a slide or something and my heart would stop b/c I couldn't see him! I hope it eases if it doesn't I don't think I'll be going to the park that often!

shopgirl78 · April 2011

I've given up. It's impossible to helicopter with three. Generally I let the big kids go, helping them if they are climbing something I am unsure of and helping DS2 with things I am unsure he can do on his own. I have had to leave him in the toddler swing for a quick moment while I help the others. If he is content, walking around...I keep my distance but keep the best eye on him I can. I am not so worried that someone will run off with them, the parks we go to are in nice neighborhoods & they also aren't that busy. Plus I trust that most people are inheriently good.

I too tend to leave if there are too many big kids.

Jennicap · April 2011

I think I just need time...first time mom anxiety I guess! lol it was a fenced in park with only one entrance!

DeeandBrad · April 2011

OP- Your LO is still young so I wouldn't worrying about hovering over him. I am a pretty relaxed mom but I still stay really close to my DS. He is still small and not really steady on his feet. My DD on the other hand just runs like crazy and does her own thing with the other kids (I am still close by). It just comes with time. I think the early one's is a bit to young not to be right on top of them but when they get closer to 2 it is easier to give them more space.

JameRoo430 · April 2011

I feel the same way you do. I was at an indoor play park the other week and all the other mom's were eating and couldn't see their kids and thought I was being overprotective because they were in front of the only exit but I wanted to keep my eyes on DS at all times. They are just so young I feel and just learning how to interact with other kids and I don't think he's ready to be left in a room with a bunch of kids his age without supervision. I don't think you are being overprotective. I always say better overprotective than underprotective at this age as long as you let them try their strengths and weaknesses.

aocain02@yahoo.com · April 2011

You'd for sure judge me. We went to he park today and I let him wander, but I'm always watching. As long as he's not in any place dangerous I give him his space.

WildcatPrincess · April 2011

fredalina:
How far is too far in your opinion? Because i bet you'd judge me for sure!

Haha, I was thinking this too. DD crawled across and outside the basketball court during Stroller Strides today, but as long as she's in my sight I don't worry too much. Some of the older kids were playing much further out

Dreamsicle23 · April 2011

I don't know the exact statistics off the top of my head, but it's EXTREMELY unlikely for a kid to get snatched from a park. The odds are better that you'd win Powerball and get struck by lightning in the same day.

LSU628 · April 2011

I tend to stay close b/c my DD tries to climb up and down things that she isn't physically able to do on her own. She also is a daredevil and wants to go down the big slides. Plus as accident prone as she has been lately, I'm not willing to take any more risks!

Princess_Lily · May 2011

I let DS walk a few steps ahead of me, but I always follow him. I even sometimes try to get him to play with me on the set(s). Its fun, and brings out the inner kid in me.

Some mothers are the exact opposite at our park, and sit on the benches. I'm assuming these are older kid parents, or parents of multiple kids. I'm sure its impossible to chase 2+ children...like every parenting techniques, every mommy has a different style.

Kingston54 · December 2011

I would not take my eyes off my LO!

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